Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin is probably headed to the Hall of Fame when he finally hangs up the headset.
Congrats to @steelers HC Mike Tomlin. 👏 #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/rx8rjGZORx
— NFL (@NFL) November 6, 2020
And he is likely the leading candidate for 2020 NFL Coach of the Year, but he didn’t offer earth shattering news when discussing his team’s game plan against the Dallas Cowboys.
“I know Ezekiel Elliott has a lot of our attention and preparation and rightfully so. …Common sense tells you he’ll be a central figure in your game plan.”
Well no kidding.
The Cowboys are on starting quarterback number whatever who hasn’t even been named yet.
Dak is hurt.
Dalton is concussed.
DiNucci is the rookie who is benched after one week of action.
Cooper Rush and Garrett Gilbert are among the likely candidates to be named starter against a very formidable Pittsburgh Steelers defense and a shaky offensive line on a good day.
So of course Zeke is it.
And because it’s 2020, he is banged up.
He has a hamstring issue which caused his name to show up on Wednesday’s injury report and to send further shudders around already wearied Dallas fanbase.
Because even though the Cowboys are 2-6 and a 13 point underdog in Sunday’s game, it is still their Super Bowl nemesis of years past as the opponent.
The Cowboys have pride and want to play well.
Steelers vs. Cowboys
These two storied franchises have had their share of epic battles in the 1970s and one memorable one in the 1990s.
Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, and the Steel Curtain are now retired, but the 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers have looked just as sharp as their 1970s predecessors.
And sharper than their 1990s predecessor because Big Ben is not Neil O’Donnell.
That being said, the Steelers come into this game 7-0 and heavily favored (understatement).
Not surprisingly given their undefeated record at the halfway point of the season, the Steelers are doing everything well.
#PittsburghSteelers–
Mid Season Report CardThe complete football team
– Grade: A+
– Ranking: 1/32
– Record: 7-0
– AFC North: 1st
– Defensive MVP: T.J. Watt
– Offensive MVP: Ben Roethlisberger
– Best Win: 28-24 @Ravens
– Worst Defeat: 🤭#NFL@TopSport_com_au pic.twitter.com/6VuRa08wrI— Movin’ The Chains 🏈 (@MovinChainsNFL) November 6, 2020
Offense, defense, pass, run, and kicking games are all on point.
Barring some major calamity, the Steelers should win this game handily and could have backups in the game by the 4th quarter.
With or without Zeke, the Cowboys are in big trouble, and Coach Tomlin knows it.
NEXT: Should Mike McCarthy Be One And Done In Dallas?